Choosing Child Care

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Topic Overview

There are two basic types of child care: individual and group. Individual providers care for only your child or children. Group providers include small or large home day cares, child care cooperatives, or child care centers such as preschools.
When choosing child care, consider your child's safety, how much you can afford to pay, and your daily routine. Finding high-quality care that fits your child's needs takes time and research.
Good quality care includes these things: Each adult caregiver has a small number of children to look after. Caregivers are kind and are trained to work with children, and they are likely to stay working there. Look for child care that offers many different activities for children, is clean, and is licensed with your state and county.
You can take steps to help your child do well in child care. If you spend time with your child and are calm and loving, he or she will be more likely to adapt to and enjoy child care. Your child's natural outlook will also affect how he or she responds to child care.
If your child has special needs or you meet low-income guidelines, you may be able to get free child care or other services funded by the state or federal government.

What is child care?

Child care is short-term care by someone other than a parent. There are two basic types of child care: individual and group.

Individual providers care for only your child or children. Examples include a family member or friend, nanny, au pair, or babysitter.
Group providers care for your child and other people’s children. Your child may attend a small or large home day care, a child care cooperative, or a child care center such as a preschool or Montessori school.

Finding good child care can seem overwhelming and a bit scary. It is an important decision. But if you take your time and do some research, you can find a place where your child can play, learn, and be well taken care of.

How can you find good child care?

When choosing child care, consider your child's safety, how much you can afford to pay, and your daily routine. Finding high-quality care that fits your child's needs takes time and research.

When choosing child care, make sure that it is:

Safe. Check that it is licensed with your state and county (also called registration or certification). But licensing guidelines vary by state. So make sure that all care providers know how to handle emergencies and are trained in first aid and CPR. Also, ask for references. Get the names of people and agencies you can talk to about the care center’s safety record.
Right for your child's age, skill level, and natural outlook. Ask what ages of children go to the care center. Think about whether your child would do best at home, in a family home setting, or in a group center. For example, a child who makes friends easily may do well in a group center. A shy child may do better in a small, home-based center.
Right for your family’s values. Ask what kind of learning programs the center has. Think about whether these fit with your family’s beliefs and values.
Well staffed. Make sure there are enough staff members to care for the number of children at the center. Ask if caregivers are able to give each child one-on-one attention as needed. Check that the main caregivers and program directors are trained in child development and have a college degree or are otherwise highly experienced. Also, find out how long staff members have worked there. It can be upsetting for a child if the staff changes often.
Caring. Watch how the staff works with the children and if they are kind and caring with them.
Affordable. In the United States you can deduct part of child care costs from your state and federal income taxes. Your employer also may offer benefits or help with child care, or you may qualify for a reduced rate at some child care centers.
Reliable and consistent. You'll want to know that your provider will be available when needed. Have written agreements outlining specific hours, holidays, and other breaks.
Convenient. Think about the location of the care center, whether traffic will slow you down, and whether the hours work well with your schedule.

What if your child has special needs?

Federal and state laws allow equal access to public education and other services such as speech and physical therapy for children with disabilities or certain conditions that require special care. Find out which laws apply to your child and how to get available services. See the Community Services or Government listings section in your local telephone book for the local mental health office or state department of education.

How can you help your child get the right start?

Children need time to adjust to child care. It is common for a child to cling or cry when a parent leaves. But you can take steps to help your child do well in child care:

Prepare yourself and your child. It may help if you both get used to spending time apart. Hire a babysitter or ask a friend or relative to help watch your child for short periods, and gradually make them longer.
Tell your child what will happen. If your child is an older toddler or a preschooler, talk about meeting new friends and doing new things. Remind your child that you will come back to pick him or her up.
Work into the new routine slowly. You may keep the first visit short and stay with your child. Stay away a little longer each day. Follow your child's lead. He or she may be more ready to join the group than you thought.
Spend extra time saying goodbye for the first few days. Some children will be ready and eager for the new routine. An extra minute or two to get your child involved in a new project or with a group of children may be all that is needed.
Let your child bring something from home, if the center allows it. Having a special blanket or toy can be a comfort.

If you spend time with your child and are calm and loving, he or she will be more likely to adjust to and enjoy child care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about child care:	What are my child care options? What should I look for in a child care provider? What other issues are important to think about?
Things to consider:	How can I evaluate my family's needs? Are there hidden costs of child care?
Keeping your child healthy and stimulated:	When should I keep my child out of day care? What are the recommended teacher/child ratios? What kinds of policies should a group care center have? What should I ask about health policies?
Ongoing concerns:	Will having another caregiver harm my relationship with my child?

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Last updated:	December 01, 2006
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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